Senator Evan Bayh (D)-IN today joined the ranks of those in Congress not running for re-election this fall, saying that he loves serving his constituents but doesn't love Congress. Mr. Bayh cited the partisan atmosphere in Washington as a big factor in his decision to retire. His thoughts on partisanship would be laughable if they weren't so frighteningly foolish, and yet so many people have fallen into the trap that Washington needs bi-partisanship. My friends, that's the last thing Washington needs!
For those of you who might not know what bi-partisanship is, it simply means both the Democrat and Republican parties compromising and working peacefully together in order to get things done. In a perfect world bi-partisanship would be a wonderful thing that would transform America into the political promised land, while in reality, bi-partisanship would be the mother of all government disasters.
Curious to know why?
It's because our system has produced career politicians who are so self-absorbed and obsessed with their own power and legacy, they don't know how to compromise properly. Bi-partisanship today means nothing more than "my way or the highway." Both parties have been guilty of this attitude in the past, but since the Democrats have taken total control in Washington, they've turned it into an art form. From "Mad" Max Baucus shutting down debate during committee hearings last summer to President Obama now proposing a health care summit at the end of February, the Democrats are not interested in any Republican ideas for health care. They care only about a photo-op and a setup which will allow them to blame the other side for failure. They come to the microphone and preach against the evils of partisanship, yet they are completely unwilling to consider proposals that differ significantly from their own. So I say, thank God for bi-partisanship.
Do you realize what would happen if just a handful of Republican Senators and Representatives caved and crossed the aisle? The health care bill would be passed and sent to Obama's desk so fast you'd think it was an Olympic Alpine event. The Democrats control the White House and both Congressional Chambers, as well as most federal courts yet they cannot agree among themselves how to get health care done because it's an extremely bad idea. Thank God for the bi-partisanship that's fending off the health care bill, cap and trade, a new porkulus bill, and on and on. Without it we'd be marching toward socialism at blinding speed with nothing to stop us but the arms of revolution.
I remember when George W. Bush ran for President the first time, one of his campaign points was the fact that he brought Democrats and Republicans together in Texas for the good of the people. I said back then that the accomplishment was indeed impressive, but Washington is a far different place. I voted for him twice because his two opponents would have been far worse, yet I was never supportive of his "extend the hand of peace to Democrats" approach. Every time he did they bit him; and they bit him hard. The Democrats never gave an inch during Bush's eight years, but they took and took and took, everything the Republicans compromised on. It was a bad plan then. It is still a bad plan today.
I agree whole-heartedly with the notion that bi-partisan gridlock has tended to stall any real legislative efforts for the last several years, and I think that's a good thing. I live in New York, home the most dysfunctional state legislature in the country; a legislative body that makes Washington look downright efficient. I'm glad for gridlock because it prevents these political fools from maximizing their damage potential. Be it at the state or federal level, the less legislation that comes out of the government, the better off we are.
So I say again, thank God for bi-partisanship. Until such time as our elected officials learn what their oaths of office really mean, until thy demonstrate a genuine desire to SERVE their constituents rather than being served, until they gain the common sense of the average American, I say let 'em remain gridlocked. At least no more damage can be done that way.
For those of you who might not know what bi-partisanship is, it simply means both the Democrat and Republican parties compromising and working peacefully together in order to get things done. In a perfect world bi-partisanship would be a wonderful thing that would transform America into the political promised land, while in reality, bi-partisanship would be the mother of all government disasters.
Curious to know why?
It's because our system has produced career politicians who are so self-absorbed and obsessed with their own power and legacy, they don't know how to compromise properly. Bi-partisanship today means nothing more than "my way or the highway." Both parties have been guilty of this attitude in the past, but since the Democrats have taken total control in Washington, they've turned it into an art form. From "Mad" Max Baucus shutting down debate during committee hearings last summer to President Obama now proposing a health care summit at the end of February, the Democrats are not interested in any Republican ideas for health care. They care only about a photo-op and a setup which will allow them to blame the other side for failure. They come to the microphone and preach against the evils of partisanship, yet they are completely unwilling to consider proposals that differ significantly from their own. So I say, thank God for bi-partisanship.
Do you realize what would happen if just a handful of Republican Senators and Representatives caved and crossed the aisle? The health care bill would be passed and sent to Obama's desk so fast you'd think it was an Olympic Alpine event. The Democrats control the White House and both Congressional Chambers, as well as most federal courts yet they cannot agree among themselves how to get health care done because it's an extremely bad idea. Thank God for the bi-partisanship that's fending off the health care bill, cap and trade, a new porkulus bill, and on and on. Without it we'd be marching toward socialism at blinding speed with nothing to stop us but the arms of revolution.
I remember when George W. Bush ran for President the first time, one of his campaign points was the fact that he brought Democrats and Republicans together in Texas for the good of the people. I said back then that the accomplishment was indeed impressive, but Washington is a far different place. I voted for him twice because his two opponents would have been far worse, yet I was never supportive of his "extend the hand of peace to Democrats" approach. Every time he did they bit him; and they bit him hard. The Democrats never gave an inch during Bush's eight years, but they took and took and took, everything the Republicans compromised on. It was a bad plan then. It is still a bad plan today.
I agree whole-heartedly with the notion that bi-partisan gridlock has tended to stall any real legislative efforts for the last several years, and I think that's a good thing. I live in New York, home the most dysfunctional state legislature in the country; a legislative body that makes Washington look downright efficient. I'm glad for gridlock because it prevents these political fools from maximizing their damage potential. Be it at the state or federal level, the less legislation that comes out of the government, the better off we are.
So I say again, thank God for bi-partisanship. Until such time as our elected officials learn what their oaths of office really mean, until thy demonstrate a genuine desire to SERVE their constituents rather than being served, until they gain the common sense of the average American, I say let 'em remain gridlocked. At least no more damage can be done that way.
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